Project Highlights:

Camphill was inaugurated by Camphill Community Trust Botswana in 1990. It was initiated with an objective to try and meet the long term needs of needy adults with disabilities by offering vocational training, employment opportunities, and accommodation including social support. It is situated next to Camphill Rankoromane School in Otse. One of its goals is to employ local people to fill administrative and management roles; however, at present, volunteers remain at the core of coordination and decision making within Camphill. In order to overcome the problem of funding for the school, the Trust started some production workshops employing people from the local village. The profits from these production workshops went to help run the school. The school and the production workshops have grown side by side. There is now a shop in the capital city of Gaborone which was built specifically to sell Camphill’s products. The shop has handmade wooden furniture, local pottery and weavings.

Camphill benefits greatly from the work of volunteers. While working at the project, you will assist in the daily physiotherapy sessions and imparting education to needy kids. You are expected to give a helping hand in gardening, sports coaching & mentoring and general counseling of the kids. You can also assist the centre with handmade wooden furniture, local pottery, weavings and any required renovation work that needs attention and can even help in maintaining kids` library. Spare time is usually meant for interaction with kids during their music practice sessions. Volunteers can share and exchange different cultural forms during the work camp. Volunteers can engage in a host of activities by venturing into near by areas to experience the beauty of wild life and culture in its natural inhabitant. The fun activity can best be enjoyed with other participants and volunteers of similar age group. We at GWC believe that through the youth force like you we will have a faster, wide reaching and deep life changing impact on the lives these disabled special people.

IMPORTANT: Typically you are expected to work for about 4 to 6 hours a day; however if you wish to put in more working hours in the interest of children you are welcome. A typical working day begins after breakfast at 8:30 am till 11 am and after lunch at 1:30 pm to 3:30pm. It is highly recommended that you work with other project closely to adjust better and maximize the impact.

Project ltinerary:

Day 1: Arrival at airport in Gaborone, from where you will be taken to your respective accommodation in Mochudi. Your 1st day will be a rest day, so that you can easily recover and refresh yourself after a long journey. But at nights, you have a choice to roam around and enjoy the beautiful place by exploring local surroundings.

Day 2: You will be welcomed at GWC Botswana Office, where you will be given a short introduction about of GWC. You will also be introduced about the local people, local conditions, local language & culture, host family, safety & climate and socio – political issues.

Day 3: You will leave for the project site where you will get to meet with the local villagers and will be introduced to the project and the working environment.

Day 4 – 9: Work at Project Location of SOS (Please refer Project Overview & Project Work for details)

Day 10: This is the time to relax and refresh by taking a tour to village site, interact with locales, staff and your fellow volunteers. You will visit and explore various sightseeing spots and will get to have lots of fun. After dinner in the evening, you can have more fun when you join cultural program performed by local community people which is always a visual treat.

Day 13: Explore the beautiful places of Botswana along with fellow participants who all are of almost of your own age. This will enhance the bonding among the participants.

Day 14: Completion of project, final experience synthesis and Farewell program will be conducted at the end. This is a wonderful platform to the participants to recall and share important experiences and lessons learnt. During this, a short program of certificate distribution will also take place. Once the program is over, the group of volunteers (youth participants) will leave for departure for their respective destinations.

Note:

Above is just a suggested, sample itinerary and might be changed by the country coordinator if and when required. However, you will receive the final work camp itinerary upon your arrival in the host country. The program coordinator will also provide you day-to-day work schedule before the work camp starts.

If any participant needs to reschedule their journey due to any unavoidable circumstances please do keep GWC informed. We will try to do the best suited arrangements.

Volunteer Eligibility Rules:

Volunteers must be strictly within the age group of 17 to 26 years of age.

You do not need to possess any prior experience, qualifications or any special skills to join our work camps.

Volunteers should have an open mind, flexible positive attitude, compassion and eagerness to work with local people.

Be imaginative, hardworking, self-motivated, self starter, patient and be caring towards people of other cultures.

Volunteers should be able to communicate in English keep in relatively good health.

Note: For volunteers under the age of 18, you need to submit both permission letter and volunteer application signed by either of the parent or legal guardian giving you consent to volunteer.

FOOD & ACCOMMODATION:

GWC partner organization will arrange and manage your accommodation, food and supervision while you work at the project. Camphill Community Trust provides accommodation in camping sites. Hot showers facility and bathrooms/toilets with running water are available. You’ll be served 3 (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) meals a day. The meal might be cooked by a group of volunteers with the support of local staff. Although a beautiful, warm and friendly place, you should not expect luxurious treatment or accommodations because we ideally want you to feel and experience the real Botswana’s culture.